The Brookhaven leader. [volume] (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1883-1891, 1887-01-13
A Const,tuhonslsc onyention.

been more or less agitation OF the
question of n new Constitution, and
the sentiment ravoring it is con
stantly growing. A resolution having
this object in view, and providing
for the election Of delegates 10 q
Constitutional Convention passed.
the Senate at the last session Of the
Legislature and would also have pass
ed the House, had not the friends OF
the measure, who had clear major
ity, suffered themselves TO he out
generated by the minority In par
liamentary tacticts. Since the ad-
journment Of the Legislature the
discussion Of the subject has been
renewed in the press, and will be
brought prominently toward in the
election this year Of Senators and
Representatives.
Hitherto The LEADER has taken
no part in this discussion,
but now, as 1t is question
upon which the people will be
called to act, we shall favor to the
utmost of our ability. within the
Democratic party, the election of
men To both branches Of the Legis
lature who are committed in its
favor. Be it understood, we are not
of those who consider the fact that
our present Constitution was framed
by carpet bsggers and aliens and
forced upon the people at the point
Of the bay onet, as the only and all
sufficient reason for having it re-
modelled. Such an argument is
puerlle, and il nothing better than
this can be offered, the Constitution
should be allowed to stand as it is.
But we consider that there are other
and substantial reasons for new
Constitution, and, unlike many OF
our cotemporanis who have discuss
ed the subject, we will mention a
few points wherein important and
beneficial changes might be made.
l. There should be greater lin
itations thrown around the elective
franchise. No person, of any race
or color, should be allowed to vote
who cannot show his poll tax re-
ceipt. II might also be we'll to
place a moderate educational quail.
ification on the ballot, to take effect
within a stipulated time, say 5 or 10
years. This would work the solu.
ton of the perplexing race problem
in politics.
2. Make the Governor inelligi
BILE for two consecutive terms, thus
removing temptation to abuse of the
sppointive power, and divorcing the
Executive and Judiciary, without
going to the other and worse ex-
IRENE of having the judicial ermine
dragged into the filth and mirc of
partisan politics.
3. Abolish the Office Of Lieut..
Governor in to to.
4. Forever prohibit the convict
leasing system, which has been a
very id spot ON the fair name Of
the State.
s. Likewise forever prohibit the
sale of all alcoholic liquors as bcv-
erage.
6. Take away the exclusive right
of communication and pardon from
the Governor, which seems TO be so
much abused Of late, and vest it
in a Board of Pardons.
7. Prohibit the voting Of the
credit of counties and towns to pri-
vate corporations, as we'll as of the
State.
s. Make the language plain and
uncquivocal, taxing the property OF
corporations organized for pecuniary
gain and profit, without exception,
the same as of individuals.
These seem to us some of the
most important changes needed in
our present organic law, and a Con
stitutional Convention is the quick
est and best method of efecting
them. The cost would be as moth.
ing to the advantage to be derived.